An RCMP officer who has been transferred to British Columbia after being disciplined for having sex with subordinates will be kept under a tight watch - and fired if he re-offends, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens said Thursday.
"It is the exact kind of behaviour we need to eliminate," said Commissioner Callens of the actions that got Sgt. Don Ray disciplined for disgraceful conduct on the job in Alberta.
Commissioner Callens, who is about to launch a 50 point action plan to end sexual harassment in the force in B.C., said he may not agree with the decision to keep Sgt. Ray employed.
But he said the disciplinary process is what it is and once the decision was made to dock the offending officer 10 days pay and bust him in rank, from Staff Sgt to Sgt., then B.C. seemed the "best place" in Canada for him to work.
He said he is committed to changing the culture of the RCMP in B.C. and if Sgt. Ray gets out of line again, he will be immediately removed from duty and his dismissal will be sought.
Commissioner Callens said Sgt. Ray will be given federal duties and he will not be assigned to work in the community.
Asked what he would say to female officers who might be concerned about working with Sgt Ray, Commissioner Callens said: "They need not be afraid. I will not place any employee in a position where they are afraid to come to work or be at work."
Mark Hume